Simulated dice game and control circuit therefor

ABSTRACT

A simulated dice game including a playing board on which is presented a display including lamps arranged in a pattern corresponding to the spot patterns on two dice. A manually operated switch button is provided to activate and deactivate pulse generating devices for each lamp arrangement, and the generated pulses are fed to counter circuits that are switched through a predetermined recurring sequence of operating states which selectively energize the lamps through output circuitry to show combinations of one to six lamps on each die. The pulse generating device produces triggering pulses at a relatively low frequency and at a constant repetition rate during activation thereof by the switch button and produces such pulses at a descending repetition rate upon deactivation thereof by the switch button whereby the lamps flash visibly during activation and continue to flash at a descending repetition rate upon deactivation until a final operating state is displayed upon cessation of pulse generation.

United States Patent [191 Dice [451 July 23, 1974 SIMULATED DICE GAMEAND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Dennis D. Dice, Yadkinville, N.C.

Electronic Data Controls Corporation, Winston-Salem, NC.

Filed: Aug. 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 386,730

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 253,057, May 15, 1972.

Inventor:

Assignee:

[52] US. Cl. 331/111, 307/252 F, 331/78, 331/178 Int. Cl. H03k 3/82Field of Search.. 331/78, 111, 178; 307/252 F Jr. pp. 9-10.

Primary Examiner-John Kominski Firm-Richards, Shefte &

Attorney, Pinckney Agent, or

57 ABSTRACT A simulated dice game including a playing board on which ispresented a display including lamps arranged in a pattern correspondingto the spot patterns on two dice. A manually operated switch button isprovided to activate and deactivate pulse generating devices for eachlamp arrangement, and the generated pulses are fed to counter circuitsthat are switched through a predetermined recurring sequence ofoperating states which selectively energize the lamps through outputcircuitry to show combinations of one to six lamps on each die. Thepulse generating device produces triggering pulses at a relatively lowfrequency and at a constant repetition rate during activation thereof bythe switch button and produces such pulses at a descending repetitionrate upon deactivation thereof by the switch button whereby the lampsflash visibly during activation and continue to flash at a descending.repetition rate upon deactivation until a final operating state isdisplayed upon cessation of pulse generation.

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PATlimEnJuLzamn SHEET 2 OF 2 SIMULATED DICE GAME AND CONTROL CIRCUITTHEREFOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a division, ofapplication Ser. No. 253,057, filed May 15, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION of chance such as games designed to simulatethe rolling or throwing of conventionaldice cubes by lamp arrangementsdepicting combinations presented by the spots on the faces of dice.

It is, of course, important in games such as this tha the controlcircuits bedesigned to eliminate any reasonable possibility that anoperator or player can control the final state of the indicators toobtain a desired result, and it is likewise significant in the enjoymentof such games that a player have a sense of participation in theoperation of the game as well as a sense of anticipation about the finalstate of the indicators. Prior proposals have heretofore failed to meetall of these requirements.

One of the more pertinent of these prior proposals is disclosed in anarticle entitled Spots Before Your Eyes appearing in the September 1967issue of Popular Electronics magazine at pages 29-34. The devicedescribed in this article includes two dicesimulating. lampconfigurations controlled by respective counter circuits having a resetfeature and characterized by a relatively low frequency (i.e., 500 I-IZ)oscillator to drive the counter circuits. It is to be noted that from apsychological standpoint, it is very advantageous to have a lowfrequency response from lamps because it allows the player or operatorof the device to see the lamps flashing as the counter circuit switches.However, in the device described in the aforementioned article, thisadvantage is outweighed by the fact that it is perhaps possible becauseof the low frequency operation for the final outcome to be predeterminedby a player or operator who has had some experience in manipulating thecontrol switch.

In an effort to eliminate the possibility of controllingv the dice oddsin this manner, it has also been proposed in US. Pat. No. 3,592,473,issued July 13, 1971, to provide separate oscillators for each simulateddie and more importantly to increase substantially the frequency atwhich these oscillators operate. The patent indicates that thisoperating frequency should be at least 100,000 cycles per second, butthe patentee prefers to use regeneration oscillators having asubstantially higher frequency (e.g., l MI-IZ). While this prior artdisclosure apparently does eliminate the possibility of a practicedoperator being able to influence successfully the outcome of dice discdisplay, the high frequency oscillators eliminate the aforementioneddesirable effect obtained by the relatively slow flashing of the lampswhich gives the operator a greater sense of participation andanticipation.

In accordance with the present invention, a unique pulse generatingcircuit is utilized which provides lamps with a relatively slow flashingfrequency, yet which successfully eliminates any possibility ofobtaining a predetermined final state and this pulse generating circuitis incorporated in a dice-simulating game which does not have thedrawbacks described above in connection with known prior art dice games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes an arrangementof lamps or other indicators which are controlled through a drivecircuit that is manually activated and deactivated and that is operableto switch the lamps through a predetermined recurring sequence ofoperating states and to retain the lamps in one such operating stateafter the drive circuit is deactivated. The lamps are switched throughthese operating states at a low frequency having a constant repetitionrate during activation of the drive circuit; and they continue to beswitched through such operating states at a decreasing repetition rateafter deactivation of the drive circuit until a final operating state ispresented by the lamps.

The present invention has particular application to amusement devicessuch as a simulated dice game, but it is to-be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to this particular application and canbe useful in other amusementdevices and similar devices employingindicators which 'are switched through a plurality of operating states.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, a pulse generatingcircuit is provided for selectively producing pulses at a constantrepetition rate in one condition thereof and for producing pulses at ade scending repetition rate in a second condition thereof. This circuitincludes a programmable unijunction transistor having a groundconnection to the cathode thereof, a supply voltage supplied to theanode thereof, and a bias voltage imposed on the gate thereof; The gatebiasing circuit includes a voltage source, a resistorcapacitor (R-C)timing circuit, and a manually operated switch which isselectivelyoperable between a first position at which the transistor gate is'biasedinto conduction, and a second position at which the R-C circuit isconnected to the transistor gate. In the first position 1 of the switch,the voltage at the transistor gate is substantially zero and thetransistor therefore generates pulses at a constant rate, while in thesecond position of the switch, the gate voltage is progressivelyincreased by allowing the capacitor to charge through resistor until itequals or exceeds the anode voltage whereby the transistor generatespulses at a descending repetition rate until the transistor becomesdisabled and ceases generating pulses.

This pulse generating circuit is used in the present invention in asimulated dice game which includes an output display having two lamparrangements each of which is patterned after the spot arrangements onthe faces of a conventional die. A divide-by-six counter circuit foreach lamp arrangement is connected to the aforesaid pulse generatingcircuit and is operable'to be switched through a predetermined recurringsequence of operating states by pulses received from the pulsegenerating circuit, and the output display is connected to the countercircuit means and is operable to provide an indication of the operatingstate of the counter circuit. 4

Thus when the manual switch is at its first or on position, the lampswill flash continuously as the pulses are generated at a constantrepetition rate, and upon turning the switch to its second or ofposition, the lamps will flash at a descending repetition rate until thetransistor in the pulse generating circuit becomes disabled whereuponthe lamps will be left lighted to indicate the last operating state ofthe counter circuit.

It will be noted that a low frequency pulse generating circuit can beemployed to provide visibly flashing lights, yet the final operatingstate of the counter circuit.

cannot be correctly anticipated because it continues to switch for atime even after the operating switch is moved to its off position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a game board for asimulated dice game according to the present invention, including twosimulated dice faces having lamps representing the spots thereon; and

FIG. 2 is a logic diagram of the simulated dice game of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Looking now in greater detail atthe accompanying drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a gameboard which includesa plurality of representations similar to those found in conventionaldice games whereby players can place chips or similar tokens atdesignated locations to obtain varying odds in attempting to predictcorrectly the number of spots which will appear on the playing dice. Atthe center of the gameboard 10, two simulated dice faces 12 and 14 arepresented, each such dice face 12 and 14 including a display of sevenlamps 16-28 and 17'28 respectively, arranged in a pattern correspondingto the spot arrangements on the surfaces of a die. Also included on thegameboard 10 is a push-button switch 30 which operates an electroniccircuit disposed beneath the gameboard 10, and this circuit controls theenergizing and deenergizing of the lamps in a manner to be described ingreater detail presently.

The logic diagram for the lamp control circuit is shown in FIG. 2together with the aforementioned lamps and switch 30. This circuitincludes a pulse generating unit 32 for supplying separate pulses todivideby-six counter circuits 34 and 36 which are thereby cycled throughsix states in a fixed sequence each of these six states being thendisplayed in different combinations of lighted lamps as will becomeapparent below.

The pulse generating unit 32 includes two low frequency oscillators 38,38' which, preferably, are programmable unijunction transistorsmanufactured by General Electric Company as Dl3T. The two oscilla tors38, 38' are identical and generate pulses at substantially the samefrequency (i.e., l6 HZ), although there will obviously be some minorvariation therein because of normal tolerances, and such variationprecludes the two dice faces always having identical lamp displays andidentical progressions of lamp switching. Since these oscillators 38, 38are identical, it is only necessary to explain the operation of one. Aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art, the oscillator 38 has asource voltage (i.e., 5 volts) applied to the anode thereof, and thevoltage at the gate thereof can then be varied so that the oscillatorwill generate pulses when the anode voltage is greater than the gatevoltage. The oscillator will cease generating pulses when gate voltageexceeds the anode voltage.

In conventional pulse generating circuits, the voltage at the gate ofthe oscillator of the type described above is substantiallyinstantaneously increased to and from a value substantially equal to theanode voltage whereby the oscillator likewise changes instantaneouslybetween a state of generating pulses at a maximum frequency rate and astate of non-generating of pulses. However, in accordance with thepresent invention, a unique control circuit is provided for theoscillators 38, 38' which results in their having the capability ofstarting to generate pulses at a constant repetition rate substantiallyinstantaneously with the closing of switch 30, and then continuing togenerate pulses at a descending repetition rate for a brief period afterswitch 30 is opened. This control circuit includes a common line 40connecting the gates of the oscillators 38, 38', and this common line 40is connected to a capacitor 42 (i.e., 6.8 uF) and a resistor 44 (i.e.,100,000 ohms) which is connected to a voltage supply (i.e., 5 volts).Also connected to the common line 40 is the switch 30, and a capacitor46 (Le. l uF) and a resistor 48 (i.e., 100,000 ohms).

With this circuit arrangement, when the switch 30 is initially closed,the resistance 48 will be placed across capacitor 42 and the supplyvoltage at the gate of each oscillator 38, 38' will be quickly reducedso that these oscillators will commence pulsing substantiallyinstantaneously at its constant maximum frequency repetition rate. Thenwhen the switch 30 is opened, the bias voltage at the gates of theoscillators 38, 38 will increase relatively slowly due to the chargingof capacitor 42 through resistor 44, and this relative slow progressiveincrease in bias voltage at the gates will result in the oscillators 38,38' generating pulses at a descending repetition rate until the biasvoltage reaches a point just below the anode-supply voltage at whichtime pulsing ceases.

The time period during which the oscillators 38, 38' continue togenerate pulses after switch 30 is opened depends upon the rate ofvoltage increase at the oscillator gates. Using the formula T= RC, whenTis time, R is resistance and C is capacitance, it will be noted thatwhen resistor 44 is 100,000 ohms and capacitor 42 is 6.8 uF, T 0.68second. Thus, after switch 30 is opened, the lamps will continue toflash at a descending repetition rate for 0.68 second whereby the lampsflash in a manner that is visibly discernible and, yet, the final stateof the lamps cannot be determined by the operator.

It will also be noted that the common line 40 includes two isolationresistors 50, 50' which eliminate voltage feedback between the gates ofthe oscillators 38, 38' when the switch 30 is closed and thereby preventsynchronized pulse generation by the oscillators 38, 38'. Theseisolation resistors 50, 50 are relatively small (i.e., 47,000 ohms) andthey have substantially no effect on the circuit when the switch 30 isopen and the oscillators therefore become substantially synchronizedwhen switch 30 is opened.

Thus, with a pulse generating circuit as described above, the closing ofswitch 30 will result in the oscillators 38, 38' substantiallyinstantaneously generating pulses at a constant maximum repetition rate,and when switch 30 is opened, the oscillators will generate pulses at adescending repetition rate for a period of time after which pulsegeneration will cease altogether.

The pulses generated by oscillators 38, 38' will be fed to countercircuits 34, 36, respectively, and since these counter circuits 34, 36are identical, it is only necessary to explain the operation of one. Thecounter circuit 34 has a divide-by-sixoutput and includes threeconventional flip-flops 52, 54 and 56 which as is well understood in theart, are switched by a pulse from one stable condition l state) duringwhich an output signal is produced at one output to a second stablecondition state) at which an output signal is produced at the otheroutput thereof.

By way of illustration, it will be assumed that flip-flop 52 is at a lstate with an output signal produced at terminal thereof, flip-flop 54is at a 0 state with an output signal produced at terminal 6 thereof,and flipflop 56 is at a 0 state with an output signal produced atterminal 2 thereof. In this condition an output signal from terminal 5of flip-flop 52 is an input for driver 58 associated with lamp 28whereby the source voltage will be transmitted through the driver 58 tothe light lamp 28. However, since there is no output signal fromterminal 3 of flip-flop 54, the driver 60 for lamps and 22 will receiveno voltage and, accordingly, lamps 20 and 22 will be unlighted.Likewise, since there is no output signal from terminal 5 of flip-flop56, driver 62 will not permit lamps 16 and 26 to be lit. Moreover, sincethe driver 64 for lamps 18 and 24 is controlled by a decoding circuit asshown in FIG. 2, lamps 18 and 24 will only be lighted when flip-flops 52and 56 are both at a 0 state, and they will, therefore, not be lightedin the assumed condition because flip-flop 52 is in the 1 state. Thus,in the assumed condition of states of l, 0, and 0 for flip-flops 52, 54and 56, respectively, only lamp 28 will be lighted.

When the next pulse is received from the oscillator 38, flip-flop 52will change from its 1 state to its 0 state, and the decrease in voltageat terminal 5 of flipflop 52 will change the state of flip-flop 56 from0 state to l state. However, this decrease in voltage at terminal 5 offlip-flop 52 will not change the state of flip-flop 54 because itsterminal 1 is grounded. Accordingly, after receiving the'first pulse,the state of flipflops 52, 54 and 56 will be changed from l 0, and 0respectively to 0, 0, and 1 respectively. In this latter condition, lamp28 will not be lighted because terminal 5 of flip-flop 52 does notgenerate a signal, lamps 20 and 22 will not be lighted because there isno output signal generated at terminal 3 of flip-flop 54, and lamps l8and 24 will not be lighted because flip-flop 56 is in a 1 state.However, lamps l6 and 26 will be lighted because of the output signal todriver 62 from terminal 5 of flip-flop 56 (in its l state). Accordingly,two lamps, l6 and 18, will be lighted on dice face 12 in the secondcondition of flip-flops 52, 54 and 56.

The two states of the three flip-flops described above are set out inTable A below, together with the subsequently recurring states thatoccur when additional pulses are received from the pulse generatingunit. It is s to be noted, of course, that since the counter circuits 34and 36 are divide-by-six counter circuits, the flipflops will proceedfrom the sixth state set out in Table A to the first state uponreceiving a further pulse.

Flip Flop 52 Flip Flop s4 28,16,26 5,26,20,22 28,l6,26,20,22l6,26,20,22,l 8,24

Thus it will be seen that as each pulse is generated by the oscillators38, 38' and fed to the counter circuits- 34, 36 the lamps on each of thedice faces 12, 14 will be progressively lighted in six combinationscorresponding to the six spot arrangements which would occur in throwinga conventional die.

When the push-button switch 30 is pressed momentarily, the oscillators38, 38' will cause the lamps on each die face to progress through thesix recurring sequences and because of the low frequency (16 HZ) of thepulse generation; this recurring progression will be plainly visible tothe players as a discernible flashing progression which adds to theanticipation and excitement of playing the game. However, even thoughthe flashing progression is visible, a player still cannot actually stepthe sequence of progression by releasing the push-button switch 30 at aparticular instant because, as has been previously described, theoscillators 38, 38' continue to generate pulses at a descendingrepetition rate after switch 30 has releasedand the lamps willtherefore, continue to flash for a period of time until a final state isreached. This descending repetition rate serves the dual function ofadding the anticipation and enjoyment of the game, and more importantly,it prevents a player from being able to cause a certain final state forthe lamps by releasing the switch 30 at a certain instant. Finally, itwill be noted that if the oscillators 38, 38' began generating pulses ata low repetition rate when switch 30 was closed, it may be possible fora'player to instantaneously press and release the switch 30 and therebystep the lamp sequence by advancing it one progression. However, becauseof capacitor 46 and resistor 48, the oscillators 38, 38 begin togenerate pulsesat a maximum repetition rate as soon as switch 30 isclosed.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes ofillustration only and is not in tended to be limited by this descriptionor otherwise to exclude any variation or equivalent arrangement thatwould be apparent from, or reasonably suggested by,

the foregoing disclosure to the skill of the art.

further characterized in that selectively operable means includes a gatebiasing circuit having a voltage source, a resistor-capacitor timingcircuit, and switch means selectively operable between a first positionat which said transistor gate is effectively grounded wherein thevoltage at said gate is reduced and a second position at which saidresistor-capacitor timing circuit is in circuit with said gate wherebysaid voltage at said gate is progressively increased as said capacitorcharges until the voltage of said gate is sufficient to disable saidtransistor.

Po-ww UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,825,857 Dated July 23, 1974 Inventor(s) Dennis D. Dice J 1 4M--b.uaui- It is certified teat 232w: 12. the ateveqentifieci patent Lhereby as shown below:

Column 3, line 36, delete "17" and insert therefor l6 Column 6, line 33,delete "has" and insert therefor is Column 6, line 61, deleteproulcing"' and insert therefor -producing and Column 8, line 6, delete"wherein" and insert therefor whereby Signed and sealed this 15th day ofOctober 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. VARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A pulse generating circuit for selectively producing pulses at a constant repetition rate in one condition thereof and proucing pulses at a descending repetition rate in a second condition, said circuit including a programmable unijunction transistor having a ground connection to the cathode thereof, means for supplying the anode of said transistor with a supply voltage, means for imposing a bias voltage on the gate of said transistor and means selectively operable for establishing a voltage differential at which the anode voltage exceeds the gate voltage sufficiently to cause the transistor to commence generating pulses at a constant rate, and for decreasing said voltage differential at a predetermined rate until said voltage differential is substantially zero whereupon said transistor will cease generating pulses, said predetermined rate of decreasing said voltage differential being sufficiently slow to result in said transistor generating pulses at a descending repetition rate beginning at said constant repetition rate and progressing through a plurality of different repetition rates until no pulses are generated.
 2. A pulse generating circuit as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that selectively operable means includes a gate biasing circuit having a voltage source, a resistor-capacitor timing circuit, and switch means selectively operable between a first position at which said transistor gate is effectively grounded wherein the voltage at said gate is reduced and a second position at which said resistor-capacitor timing circuit is in circuit with said gate whereby said voltage at said gate is progressively increased as said capacitor charges until the voltage of said gate is sufficient to disable said transistor. 